The Oath and the Man

A story based upon the presumed rights of feudal lords to any woman among the peasants they might fancy. After the noble commands a peasant's wife to go to his castle a revolt breaks out among the peasants and the couple are obliged to accept protection at the hands of the outraged husband. But vengeance other than his is meted out to them. They are forced to remain in hiding while the mob devastates everything within reach. Sometimes individuals want to mete out their own vengeance, but God's vengeance is quite as sure, though slower in coming, and usually it is worse when it does come. Ethical reasons exist for this, and the inexorable law, promulgated centuries ago, is the same to-day as it was then. This law cannot be evaded; it cannot be abrogated, but who so transgresses will surely be punished. - The Moving Picture World, October 8, 1910